In a recent investigation, the Yangzi Evening News uncovered alarming fire safety issues in high-rise residential buildings across Nanjing. On January 2, a serious fire broke out in the Chuncheng New Town area, but when firefighters arrived, the fire hydrant failed to release even a single drop of water. This incident highlights a growing concern: despite frequent residential fires, many communities are not properly maintaining their fire protection systems.
During several days of on-site visits, reporters found disturbing conditions. In some areas, fire hoses had been stored for over 14 years without replacement, and fire extinguishers dating back to 1998 were still in use—showing a severe lack of maintenance. One resident, Chen Xiaofeng, expressed her worry that these critical tools might be useless in an emergency. "It's like having decorations instead of real safety equipment," she said.
At Yinxiang Apartment, a community built in 1998, residents recalled a past fire caused by an elderly couple forgetting to turn off a stove. When firefighters arrived, they found that the water pressure was too low to fight the flames effectively. The fire spread quickly, causing significant damage. Despite this experience, many residents still rely on outdated fire equipment.
In another neighborhood, Yee King Garden, a bicycle was placed upside down and tied to a fire exit, blocking access to a fire hydrant. A local resident, Ms. Zhang, said the bike had been there for years, and no one had taken action. "It’s dangerous, but no one seems to care," she said. Similar issues were found in other buildings, where fire exits were blocked with debris and bicycles, making it difficult to move through.
At Chengyin Street No. 117, a building marked as a "safe community" was found to have missing fire hoses and damaged equipment. On the third floor, only two fire hydrant valves remained, while the corresponding hoses were nowhere to be found. Fire extinguishers, some over 16 years old, were covered in dust, with inspection dates from 1998. Residents questioned whether such equipment could still be functional.
In Houzaimen Dongcun, fire hydrants were completely sealed with iron bars, supposedly to prevent theft. However, in an actual fire, such barriers would make it impossible to access the equipment quickly.
When asked about responsibility, property managers admitted that fire safety is not included in standard service fees. One manager stated that their role is limited, and professional maintenance is needed. Another pointed out that funding is a major obstacle, as residents often disagree on how to allocate resources.
The fire department also faces challenges, with limited staff and no regular inspections of residential areas. Some police stations have fire safety officers, but few communities have ever received formal checks.
CPPCC member Li Xiaoxia emphasized the need for a citywide fire safety review and suggested that property companies should take responsibility for fire facility maintenance. She also called for annual inspections and proper funding through housing maintenance funds.
Fire prevention starts with awareness, and neglecting basic safety measures can lead to irreversible consequences. As the article concludes, ensuring the functionality of fire protection systems is not just a technical issue—it’s a matter of life and death.
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